Akhand Manokaamna Navratra Jyoti Kalash :: Mahamaya Mandir, Ratanpur

Akhand Manokaamna Navratra Jyoti Kalash

Navratras are the major festive occasions for Shri Mahamaya Devi Mandir. Navratras are observed twice every year, a period of nine days each. Grand celebrations, special pujas and abhishek of Devi are organised at these times. Devotees observe fasts on all the nine days. Thousands of people travel miles on foot to have a darshan of Devi. Some of the devotees literally crawl or roll their bodies for as long as 25 kms to reach Ratanpur and pay their rituals.
Chaitra Navratras: The Chaitra Navratras begin on 1st of the Hindu month Chaitra every year - a fortnight after the Hindu festival Holi - during the spring season. These are also called Jawara Navratras in native terms. Shaardiya (Kwaar) Navratras: These Navratras begin 1st of Hindu month Kwaar or Aashwin, during the fall season. The famous Hindu festival Dussera follows these Navratras. Note: The upcoming Chaitra Navratras will begin Monday, April 7, 2008 and continue till Monday, April 14, 2008. For more details, please visit our Darshan page.
	Special lamps called Kalash are lit in big halls surrounding the Mandir in the name of devotees. These Kalashas are kept akhand or alive for all nine days by pouring in required quantities of oil or ghee. Along the walls of each of the hall, the names of the devotees subscribing the Kalashas are written. Based on one's subscription receipt number, a devotee can go inside and watch his particular Kalash lit during the Navratras. During the last Navratras more than 20,000 Kalashas were lit by the Trust on behalf of the devotees.
The Kalashas come in two varieties: Taiil Jyoti Kalash: These kalashas are kept alive by lighting oil lamps in the name of devotees. The subscription amount for each such Kalash is Rs 251.00 (Rupees Two Hundred Fifty-one only.) Ghrit Jyoti Kalash: Cottage ghee (edible oil made out of cow-milk) is used to light these lamps. These Kalashas are considered the most sacred form of prayer.
The popularity of Ghrit Kalashas is so much that people from all over the world, let alone India - be it Britain, USA or Canada - send subscriptions for these Kalashas. The subscription amount for each of the Kalashas is Rs 501.00 (Rupees Five Hundred One only.) The subscriptions for these Kalashas can be sent at any time before the festival. These can be in form of either: Cash deposited at the Trust counter Money Order in favour of Sidh Shakti Peeth Shri Mahamaya Devi Mandir Trust and payable at Ratanpur (Chhattisgarh) PIN: 495442 Cheques/DDs payable in favour of Sidh Shakti Peeth Shri Mahamaya Devi Mandir Trust and payable at Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) PIN: 495001 Note: Please make sure to mention the following on the back of your cheque/DD or the message area of the Money Order: Your complete name and address The type of Kalash (Tail or Ghrit) The name(s) of the devotees in whose name the Kalashas will be lit Note: The Trust also carries out the following activities: Puja and Mangal-kaamana Jawaara at Lakhani Devi Mandir for a subscription of Rs 51.00 (Rs Fifty-one only). Lighting Manokaamana Jyoti Kalash at Tulaja Bhawani Mandir, Ratanpur. Rathyatra Mahotsav at Shri Jagannath Mandir, Gajakila. Please contact the Trust office for these donations. The remittance can be sent to: Trust Office Address: Sidh Shakti Peeth Shri Mahamaya Devi Mandir Trust, Ratanpur (Chhattisgarh) ZIP/PIN: 495442 India Phones: +91 (7753) 255526 & 255504

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